Diamond DA20 accident near Shelbyville, Tennessee, April 11, 2009
On April 11, 2009 at about 10:20 pm local time, a Diamond DA20, registered N964CT, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Shelbyville, Tennessee (Bomar Field-Shelbyville Muni). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2009 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- Shelbyville, Tennessee · Bomar Field-Shelbyville Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Diamond DA20 C1
- Registration
- N964CT · no longer on the register · serial CO114
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was practicing stop-and-go landings on runway 36 under the supervision of his flight instructor. Shortly after the fourth takeoff, a reduction in engine power was observed with the throttle in the full open position. The instructor took control of the airplane and attempted a left hand turn to land on runway 18. The engine did not regain full power and a forced landing was made on airport property, short of runway 18. The airplane collided with a drainage ditch during the landing and was substantially damaged. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure. During a post-accident test run, the engine started normally and produced rated horsepower with no hesitation or interruption in power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 842 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 102 in the last 90 days; 776 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 14, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Flight time: 53 hours in all; 53 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,104 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 10, 2009; 51 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,763 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-240 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MQY Smyrna TN at 9:30 pm
- Destination: MQY Smyrna TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,503 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,700 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from MQY, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.